Toyota launches new semi-autonomous driving capability in Japan

In an effort to “enrich people’s lives through safer mobility,” Toyota Motor Corp. is taking a significant step toward autonomous driving. The automaker recently launched two vehicles for the Japanese market featuring Toyota’s new SAE Level 2 autonomous driving system.

Toyota’s approach to safer transportation is its Mobility Teammate Concept driving assist technology. It is designed to enhance communication between drivers and vehicles as well as enable coordinated driving between vehicles. This includes the ability for vehicles to provide mutual assistance and protection through active data exchange while traveling down the road together. AI (artificial intelligence) technology centered on deep learning is incorporated to forecast various situations that may be encountered while driving and provide assistance for driver responses.

The newly launched Japan-only versions of the 2022 Lexus LS and Toyota Mirai come equipped with Toyota’s new Advance Drive system, a new function of the Toyota/Lexus Teammate. The system features several vehicle-to-vehicle safety functions, such as lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, and vehicle-distance maintenance, including special deceleration for merging vehicles.

Advance Drive also enhances driver safety and engagement with a driver-monitoring camera, which constantly checks a driver’s eyes, line of sight, and posture. The system issues a warning if the driver’s eyes are closed or when the driver is looking the wrong way. It can also detect sleepiness, or declining engagement, and warn the driver through an alarm buzzer, vibrating seat belt, flashing head-up display, and an app that engages the driver in dialogue.

Accident prevention features of Advance Drive also include emergency braking, which uses a camera, LIDAR, and high-precision maps. If the driver’s posture collapses or there is no response to system warnings and the lack of operation by the driver continues, the system gradually decelerates the vehicle while warning others in the vicinity by activating the hazard lights and bringing the vehicle to a stop in the lane or on the shoulder. After the vehicle stops, the system unlocks the doors and requests assistance by automatically contacting HELPNET to rapidly rescue the occupants.

Because environments and conditions are constantly changing, Advance Drive is kept up to date by over-the-air updates or by wired connection at a dealership. Functions within the system can be added or enhanced beginning the day of vehicle purchase.

According to Toyota, the U.S. version of the 2022 Lexus LS 500h AWD with Advance Drive will arrive at dealerships this Fall.

For Toyota’s more advanced software and autonomy plans, check out: